Business Update for those Facing the Impact of COVID-19
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
The City of Miami Beach is committed to working with our community businesses and stakeholders to keep everyone informed as this situation continues to unfold. Please find below the latest information on mandates/guidelines as well as businesses resources.

LATEST UPDATES

Due to the fluid nature of this State of Emergency, the City has amended its emergency measures on several occasions since March 12, 2020, with the most recent measures issued on March 18, 2020. A brief summary of the latest changes is below for your convenience. However, the City recommends that you review the full text of the latest version of the Emergency Order, a link to which is available here to ensure you have the best available information, and are kept up to date at all times during this emergency. 

Summary of changes, dated March 18, 2020 at 5 p.m.

  • Extend the Emergency Order until March 26, 2020, at 11:59 p.m
  • Clarify that City Parks and Recreation pool facilities, in addition to Park buildings and indoor facilities, are CLOSED. All City Parks otherwise remain open for outdoor uses only.  
  • Prohibit gatherings of ten persons or more within City’s beachwalks (in addition to the existing prohibition on such gatherings on City’s beaches).    
  • Require the closure of all massage therapy centers and spas (including massage therapy centers or spas operating within hotels). In addition, no establishment shall provide massage therapy services, except hospitals or medical service providers.    
  • Clarify the closure of gymnasiums and fitness centers, consistent with Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 03-20. 

Any violation of the aforementioned emergency measures would subject the individual or business entity to criminal penalties.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey
Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.  

The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online here . Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Completing this survey could help unlock State and Federal funding. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at ESF18@em.myflorida.com .

State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The State of Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program has been activated. The application period will run through May 8, 2020. The program will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. Qualified applicants must be a for-profit, privately held small business that maintains a place of business in the state of Florida, must be established prior to March 9, 2020 and must employ 2 to 100 employees.

This loan program will provide up to $50,000 per eligible small business. Loans of up to $100,000 may be made in special cases as warranted by the need of the eligible small business. Complete details on this program and how to apply are available here .

Short Time Compensation Program (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)
The Short Time Compensation Program is a voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of temporarily laying off employees. If an employer establishes a Short Time Compensation Plan and an employee meets the qualifications to file a re-employment assistance claim in the state of Florida, the employee will receive a partial re-employment check to supplement their reduced paycheck.

EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS: For more information on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Short Time Compensation Program please click here

EMPLOYERS: To apply for the Short Time Compensation Program (required for employees to submit a re-employment claim), please click here .

Mom and Pop Small Business Grants
For more information on small business grant opportunities available through County Commissioner Eileen Higgins or Commissioner Sally Heyman's offices, click here .

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Guidance
The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA has approved the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program which will provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans here .

BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS TOOLS

WEBINAR: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Information & Resources
Scheduled: Thursday, March 19, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Florida SBDC at FIU, in association with Pino Global Entrepreneurship Center, are hosting a webinar to provide key information and resources that small business owners need to know to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes Federal/State resources, best practices to continue operations and generate revenue, and information to protect customers, employees and yourself from the virus. For more information, click here .

Business Pandemic Planning Checklist
To assist with the potential financial impact on your business, please visit the following link for information to help maintain the continuity of your operations:  Business Pandemic Planning Checklist .

Resilience in a Box
To give businesses a better chance at survival post-disaster, the U.S. Chamber Foundation offers a free toolkit called Resilience in a Box, in partnership with The UPS Foundation. This collection of resources educates business leaders on disaster preparedness and helps put them on a path to resilience. Read more on the Good360 blog .

It is important to keep your business and employees safe and to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you to monitor the city’s page on coronavirus for the latest information, as the situation is rapidly changing.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Free ad for Miami Beach Business Owners in Miami Beach Life Magazine


The Beach Channel will be offering free advertisements.

Due to the current unforeseen circumstances and pandemic, we find ourselves in, The Beach Channel is taking action to help our community. The Beach Channel will be offering free advertisement to any restaurants in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe county area that are offering delivery or take-out.

All restaurants in one of these three counties that offers delivery or pick-up are eligible. The advertisement will be run on the new Beach Channel app. It will also be featured on the Beach Channel livestream , which can be watched on the app or online at thebeachchannel.tv